As if it wasn’t bad enough having to wait months to get the iOS 4 update on the iPad, Stuff.tv can reveal that Apple now plans to charge for the software bump.

Tableteers excited about getting multitasking and folders in the autumn tablet upgrade will now feel the sting of Apple’s cash-hungry tactic, historically seen applied to iPod Touch upgrades.

The top secret plans were whispered to Stuff by developers working on a future iPad app. There are no details of how much Apple will charge for the upgrade, but we’d expect in the region of £5.

Asked how sure they were about the forthcoming iOS 4 charge, our source replied, “Definite.” And we don’t think they’re wrong.

We've contacted Apple for a response on this and we'll update as soon as we get an answer. [UPDATE: Apple has responded... with a big, fat no comment. "Apple doesn't comment on rumours and speculation," is the official line. Or deny them, it seems.]
Glad you didn’t pick up an iPad now? Or angry that you did? Will you pay for the upgrade? Let loose in the comments box.

They won't charge for it. They've removed the charge for the ipod and that is a relatively cheap device, the iPad is as expensive, and also more expensive than the iPhone, which also has the software update for free. Charging for the iPad software would likely cause quite a backlash, and on the back of this antenna issue I don't think apple could afford another customer/media assault.

Update: Apple's iPad licensing docs have been known to carry a provision that the "next major iPad OS software release" will be free, although iOS 4 and the word "free" do not happen to coincide in the same sentence -- overall though, that renders this rumor rather less likely to materialize.

Update: Apple's iPad licensing docs have been known to carry a provision that the "next major iPad OS software release" will be free, although iOS 4 and the word "free" do not happen to coincide in the same sentence -- overall though, that renders this rumor rather less likely to materialize.

They won't charge for it. They've removed the charge for the ipod and that is a relatively cheap device, the iPad is as expensive, and also more expensive than the iPhone, which also has the software update for free. Charging for the iPad software would likely cause quite a backlash, and on the back of this antenna issue I don't think apple could afford another customer/media assault.

Click to expand...

iPad: Starts at $549 CAD
iPhone: starts $699 CAD

iPad not more expensive. iPhone contracts give Apple a portion of the monthly bill, so that adds on top.